Current-collection scheme



Feb 24. 19.31. an. MooRE 1,793,557

QURREN'TQGOLLECTION SCHEME Filed NOV. l, 1929` A ttor ne y Patented Feb..24, 1931 i viren vSTATES PATENT f oF-FIcE-f EDGAR n. Moena, orMANSFIELD, orare, AssIGNoR TojTHE omo BRAss COMPANY, or

V`also. to improve the conducting means be-v in v MANSFIELD, OHIO,CORPORATIOISITOF ,NEW JERSEY- CURRENT-COLLECTION Y SCHEME v App1cationfiled November 1, 1929. i Serial No.`404,029.

'My invention relates to current collecting devices and particularly tothe conducting m-eans between the wheel or shoe and the supporttherefor.

It is quite desirable to avoid wear upon the trolley wheel asvmuch aspossible and tween the wheel and harp due to the fact that thecurrentswhich thedevicemust handle with present day equipment are very muchgreater than in the past. being given to the small detailsofconstruction to meetjthe present day requirements than has been thecustom` in thepast.

l Wheels and harps have been made with ygraphite bushings Afor manyyears or with graphite lubricating` plugs, also withV oilv or greasetype lubrication and while these forms of lubrication in themselves-'arequite yetlicient, they do not tend to improve the conductivity betweenthe wheel and ,axle and more or less a sparking takes place, which meanspitting or roughening of the `bearing surfaces and this in turn meansrapid Wearing` out ofthe wheel `huband aXle vand a noisy, inefficientdevice.

'To increase the conductivity betweenfthe wheel` and harp, metal Contactsprings and other means have been applied to vthese parts of the hubbeen efficient in that they asa rule have been rical conductivitybetween the made of copperorphosphor bronze which meant a metal to metalContact with weldedV movement therebetweenand hence rapid wear ofoneofthe'parts. In order -to improve the presentv day collector, I havemodiedin particular the elechub and harp so as to increase theeliiciencyofsuch Contact and to improvethe device as a whole.v l I'have found thatgraphite isan excellent lubricating material and at the same time is aconductor lto a degree'ivhile oil-y. is an insulator but 'ra hite aloneis not as Ygoed. a cow` a v Y .A Y ductor as is desirable, thereforeIihave found thatby properly mixiinggraphite with metalsand:forming-suchmixturesto shapeand-using it ing wheel or shoethatIhavenotonly pro-- as the element in contact with themovvided at'thispointlubrication lo f a high de- More attention is and to the harpbut these have not conductor to a high degree not,- however,`equalconductivity to that of pure metal. vv ,l

1 My invention resides in the new V"and novel construction, combinationand relationof the! various`-` parts ,hereinafter describedfzand shownvin the. accompanying drawing.v

In the drawingy-r v ig. lisa planeA view in partial section ofmyinvention.` f i 'i e Fig. 'IA is apartialplaneview of one side of myVinvention.'v ,rV '.11 -f Figs.'v2,i3; and 4are.I front, edgeand back vi'ews respectively .of the 4current collecting `devicewhichl Vuse at theends of the moving grec, but also a Illigsgand''v are-side andedge.views ,ree

ploy a harpflhaving 1alsocket. portion 2 for attachment toatrolley poleb'ymeans of the i boltsand nuts. I have shown theharpas split, but thisis notnecessary all cases 'as thear'ms 4 maybe sor-constructed that thevarious harp is made in one piece. f

Positioned between f they arms 4` is lanaXle 5 which Iprefer to .make ofrelativelylarge .iameter so as to give as largea bearingsurparts maybeassembledp-when the ace in contact with the-wheel 6 as possible Vtodecrease the friction perunit area Vandto increase. the tota-l,vconductivity for current Jet'ween the wheel and axle. The end faces ofthe aXlerv andthe inner faces of the arms 4 are preferably machinedftogive abetter Y and ymore efficient contact between the' harp and axleandthe axle is held -in postion be tween ythe positioned en opposite`sides ofthe vertical diameter of the aXle. l i Y ,an arms by a pair ofvspaced bolts?? Positioned within' the transverse :plainev co'- incidingwith vthe vertical Vdiameter of the axle are three'pockets 8 *8 and 9andin each pocket is a plugofy graphite vlOpressed out-V wardly and incontact with by means .of the spring 12.V 'The plugs may be.,-positi'oned'jin other planes. i

thefwheel hub-11 The plugs 1() are preferably made by extruding amixture of graphite and a small amount of binder such as varnish,parailine, etc., and then cut to required lengths. These plugs graduallywear away andthe particles.

of graphite are distributed between the bearing surfaces of the axle 5and the hub 11 producing highly lubricated glazed surfaces upon theseparts which resist wear and without decreasing the conductivity greatly.

ln order to utilize ythe end faces ofthe hub 11 toy conduct current, lemploy in conta-ct with the said end faces a ring element 13 v of theelement and then heating the pressed composed of comminuted and graphitemixed and pressed to shape. In producing the anti-frictionl element 13 Imay employ a mixturev of very finely divided copper and graphite.varying the proportions as desired but with the copper'preferably inexcess of the graphite and then compressing this mixture in a mold togive it desired shape mixture in a closed container tor'aboutlOOo F. forabout'fteen to thirty minutes. This i tends tounite the particles andbin-dsthem together, producing' an element which has higherconductivitythan graphite alone and much betterlubrication propertiesthan copperalone. l small amount of binder, such as bitumen, may beused' if desired. This material is somewhat porous, therefore l find itadvantageous to fill these pores with oil or melted paraiiine whichenhances they lubrieating properties without' effecting the conductingproperties. 1f desired there may be added to the mixture tin, Zinc,finely divided condition; It is wellV to keep lair away fromv themixture as much as pos- 'secured'ft'othis coating by the ordinarysolderinglprocess. 1t; will be quite evident that the ring- 14 willstillen materiallythe ring 13 andl revent its'beino easil broken andalso ifit should become cracked, the parts'vwill still retain theirrelative relation and without rendering the element unusable'.j4 lThecombined elements 13V and 14areplaced in position upon-the axle 5 with'the'free face of the anti-friction element- 13 in'contact with the end;face'of the hub 111'. ln orderto place the parts 1'3 andL 14 inelectrical Contact with the arms 4, I interpose a spring element15-which is formeda from hard drawn copper or phosphor bronze sheet andcomprising't'wo subparticles of metal lead, etc., in

stantially parallel ring portions 16 and 17 connected by a bight 18. Oneface of this spring contacts with the ring-14 and the other faceVcontacts ywith the arm 4 thus placing the end faces of thehub 11 inelectrical contact with the' arms 4 and also allowing the wheel 6 tomove transversely on the axle due to side stresseswhen m operation andincreasing thereby materially the, life O the wheel. l Y s Y l find itdesirable to'lock the elements 13--14 and thespring 15 against relativerotation. lVhile this may be done in various ways l have shown the ring14 providing a notch 19 and the spring 15 with small pro- .jecting lug2O which interlocks with the notch 19. n

It may be desired to combine the elements 18-14 and the spring 15 into aunitary device which may be riveted tothe armsv 4.' Since heat isapplied to the ring 14 in order to solder it tothe ring`13, such heat isliable to draw the temperof the metal, therefore I find it better tomake the ring 14 and they spring 155` or its equivalent of'separatepieces and in lfigsy and 8 llhavel shown the ring 13`y as secured to aring 21 having a lip portion E22. Secured Vto the ring portion-'22 bymeans of rivets 23' is a spring'element24 provided with holes 25- toreceive rivets-'for fastening the spring 24 to the arms 4, andit maybepreferable in some cases where the current tobe` collected'is abnormallylarge but asa rule the construction shown in Figs. 21 to 6 inclusivewill befound sufficient; Y

lllodiiications will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art'andtherefore' I wish to be limited only '-by my claims.

1. A current collector comprising a harp with spaced arms and means to'secure it to a support, anraxle'mounted between the arms and havingcontact end faces engaging inner faces` on the arms and means todeta'chably hold the axle inposition, a recess in the axle and a springheld graphite plug mounted therein, aicurrent collecting devicerotatably mounted'upon 'the' axle and engaged bythe graphite plug and,vhaving a hub with end faces spaced from the arms andcurrentc'on ductingr'neanspositioned betweeny the said end faces on vthe hub and arms, eachcomprising inetallized graphite rings contacting with Vthe end faces ofthe hub, metal rings iixedlyl securedv to one face of theinetallizedrings,

springs'each having twojring portions' encircling the, axle eachconnected "by a' bightand positionedbetween 4 the metal 'ring "and thearm and yieldably'holding the mctallized graphitev ring incontactfwith'the hublface and conducting current therefrom tothe arm andmeans to interloclrthe spring and -jmetal ring'against relativerotation'. 'f A 2 2. A current collectorV comprising a'fliarp withspacedarnis andmeanstosecure it' to a j the arinsand having Contacttherein,

,mounted upon the axle and engaged by the end faces spaced vnected by abight and springs Yeach ,having support, an axle mounted Vbetween thearms and having contact end faces engaging inner faces on the arms andmeans to detachably hold theaxle in position, a recess in the axle and aspring held graphite plug mounted a current collecting' device rotatablygraphite plug and having a hub withend faces spaced from the arms andcurrent conducting means positioned between the said end faces on thehub and arms each compri ing metallized graphite rings contacting withthe end faces of the hub, metal rings ixedly secured to one face of themetalliaed rings, springs each having two ring portions encircling theaxle each connected by a bight and positioned between the metal ring andthe arm and yieldablj7 holding the metallized graphite ring iii-contactwith the hub face and conduct-ing current therefrom to the arm,

3. A current collector comprising a harp.

rings and U shaped springseach having two and ccnpositioned metal ringand adjacent arm and'yieldin ij' holding the metallized graphite ring inccnring portions encircling .the Mp,

.tact with the hub face and engaging the adacent arm.

el. A current with' spaced arms, an axle mounted between the arms andhaving contact end faces eng ing faces on the arms, a current`deicemcunted upon the axle Vand y collecting having a hub ywith endfaces spa'cedfrom the arms, current conducting means positioned betweenthe said; end faces on the hnban'dv the ar As eac-h comprisingVInetallized graphite rings contacting-with the end 'faces .of the hub,metalmembers fixedly secured to one face of the metallized graphiterings and Ushaped two ring portions encircling the axle and ccnnecred bv a biglit and positioned between the metal ring and adjalized graphitecent arm and yieldingljY holding the metal face and engaging theadjacent arm. Y

5. A current collector c mprising a liarp, an axle mounted thereon, acurrent collector mounted on the axle and haring a huh portion, currentconducting means mounted between each end of the hub and the adjacentposition, a recess in f collector comprising a'V harp 'memberoffmetallized the graphite member' hub portion, a currents'conductingmeans sitione'd `between Y'eac Vjacent harp `portion -andeac'h meanscoin-V kprisin'g a metallized graphite memberl conj. tacting with .thehubga metalV reinforcing ring in contact with the hub v positionedbetween each face of the harp and.. each vmeans comprising' aringof-metallized graphite encircling the axle and contacting' with-.thehub' and having a metal washer secured. thereto to protect the graphitering." against breakage and a U shaped spring encircling the axle andpressing againstlthe adjacentfharp portion and theV metalY washer'andianinterlock between the washer and spring toprevent relative rotation. v

6. A. currenticollector comprisinga harp,v` anaXle mounted thereon, acurrentcollecte;l mountedon theaXle fandhaving a hub por! tion, current'conducting means" mounted .be-

tween Leach endof thehub (and theadjacent face of the -harp and eachmeans comprising a ring of metallizedsgraphite contactingwith the hub'and'havinga metal washer associated to protect the graphite ringagainst'breakage and a 2U Vshaped spring. nencircling the kaxle andpressing` againstrtheadjacent harp por-1 tion and .the metal washer andan interlock between the washer land 'spring to prevent relativerotation.; j. l

7.' A current collector comprising a harp, an axlemounted thereon, acurrent collector mounted on the axle and having a hub porc tion,current conducting means positioned between eachhub end 'andthe adjacentface of the harp and eachcmeans comprising a ring f" of met'allizedgraphite encircling the axleY and contacting with the huh-and' haa/ing`a metal washer securedthereto'to protect the graphite ring againstbreakage and aspring positioned between the member .andthe adjacentportion of t-he harp,"

8.v A.currentcollectorcomprising a harp,v

an aXle mounted thereon, mounted on the-'axle and tion, currentconducting betweeneachhub end and the adjacent'face of the harp and eachmeans comprising' a graphite encircling the axle and contacting with thehub and a spring positioned between the Vgraphite ring and the adjacentportion of the harpk and secured. to

a currentcollector having a hub pormeans' positioned' 9. VAcurrentcollector comprising a harp,

Vvan aXle mounted thereon, a current 'collecting l member mountedonith'e aXle and having. P0 v, hub. end `and the admember securedthereto and yielding conducting means `between theireinforcing memberand the adjacentjharp. portion'.` Y

.10. 1A current collector comprising a harp, an axlemounted thereon, acurrent collecting member mounted on the Yaxleand havingandiengaging'the harp. f

a hub portion, a recess in the axle and-a graphite plugl therein andpressing against the hub surface, current conductingjmeans hub end andthe ad- Y member' and engaging the adjacent Vring and having means.

faces,

jacent harp portion and each means comprisingL a metallized graphitemember contacting with the hub and yielding conducting means secured Vtothe metallized graphite harp portion. e

11. A current collector spring conducting devicecomprising a metallizedgraphite ring,

aV metal ring fixedly secured thereto and a U shaped spring membersecured to the metal to secure the spring to aliarp.: y Y j l 12. Acurrenticollector spring conducting device comprisinganiet'allizedgraphite member to engage a relativelyinovable current V-collectingmember a metal reinforcing meinber secured to the graphite member' and aU- shaped spring member secured to the reiiiforcing member. Y

13. A current conductor comprising a metallized graphite member toengage a current I Acollector and a metal reinforcing member secured tothe graphite member. n

14. A current collector spring. conducting mechanism comprising ametallized graphite member to engage a current collector, a metalreinforcing member secured to the graphite member and a spring tovholdthe graphite member in engagement with the current collector. e e

15.` A current conductor comprisinga metallized graphite member toengage a current collector and a metal reinforcing member soldered tothe. graphite member.

16. A current collector comprising a harp, an axle mounted thereon, acurrent collector member mounted on the axl'e,-current conducting meanspositioned between the. harp and current collector member andcomprising' a' metallized graphite member contacting with the currentcollector member and a lubricant differing in natureA fromthat ofgraphite reposing in the pores ofthe metallized graphite.

17. A current collector comprising a harp, having innercontact faces anaxle mounted kthereon between the contact faces, securing the harp andaxle means extending through` between the v said to; secure' thel axlein place on the axle, current conducting meansy positioned' between theharp and currentcollector member and comprising a metallized graphitemember contacting with the currentcollector member and having a layer ofmetal intimately attachedto one face and electrically connected to theharp.

In testimony whereof I afx my signature.

EDGAR D. MOORE.

aV current collector member Vmounted

